Flare device



Nov. 24, 1931.

P. BOK

FLARE DEVICE Filed Sept. 25, 192'? 2 Sheets-Shee 1 Nov. 24, 1931. P. BOK 1,332,355

FLARE DEVICE Fild Sept. 23. 192'! 2 sheets-Shee 2 Patented Nov. 24, 1931 PHILIP BOK, OF READING. OHIO, ASSIGNOR COMPANY, INC., OF NEW YORK, N. Y.,

TO THE UNEXCELLEI) MANUFACTTl-RING- A CORPORATION- OF NEW YORK FLARE DEVICE Application filed September 23, 1927. Serial No. 221,533.

This invention relates to pyrotechnic apparatus and has for its object the provision of l a simple and inexpensive mechanism for igniting signal devices such as flares, explosives Q or the like.

Another object is to provide a device of the class referred to which is readily applicable to co-action with parachute controlled flares and similar devices.

Another object is to provide a device of this kind which is certain and efiicientin operation.

Another object is to provide a novel means for igniting a flare automatically upon opening of a parachute attached thereto.

These and other objects are at ained by the means described herein and disclosed in the accompanying drawings. in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a parachute flare in operative position having a device of the invention embodied therein.

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of a carrying and releasing case in which devices such as shown in Fig. 1 may be carried on balloon ba kets. aeroplanes and the like.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 1 showing the parachute body and attaching cords in a folded position.

Fig. 4 is a view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmental cross sectional view of an igniting tape forming a detail of the invention.

Parachute flares and kindred devices have been heretofore provided for the purpose of permitting a balloonist or aeronaut to release a ni ht signal of somewhat las ing character, but the simpler devices were not alto ether satisfactory because of the danger of burning the parachute wh e releasing it or. in the event of using the flare to as ist in land ing. the parachu e if unfurled bv the aeron aut would sometimes keep too close to the b loon or aero lane to provide the most eiiicient light. Devices adapted to be released from a casing bv actuating a null cord have also been used for releasing a fla e, or the l ke from the bottom of a plane or ba loon but these devices have not been altogether sa isfactory because of the complicated structure of the ignition 7 face of. the bung 10 between the like serve to retain mechanism and of the relatively higher (BX-1' penses of providing such mechanism.

In the present invention there is provided a simple inexpensive and eiiicient device which comprises generally suitable flare shell 8 which may take the form of a fiber or cardboard cylinder, open at both ends and having the major portion thereof packed with a slow burning light emitting compound 9. Adjacent the top of the cylinder 8 is a mounting base comprising a disc or bung 10 which seals the cylinder and separates the compound from the ignition apparatus of the invention. The ignition apparatus comprises a'bracket 11 suitably secured to the top face of the bung and having upright lugs 12 with aligned perforations therein for receiving a suitable pin 13 upon which is rotatably mounted a suitable roller sleeve 14 about which a relatively wide fabric tape 15 is wound. A tiny piece of adhesive tape secures tape 15 to the sleeve to preclude slippage of the tape on the sleeve. A pair of guides 16 and 17 are disposed centerward of tape reel structure and have their lower faces suitablv rounded and polished to permit the tape 15 to readily slip beneath them. The

tape 15 carries on its lowermost face and.

adiacent the inner end or that end which is rolled about the sleeve a suitable friction marapid unreeling ot the terial 18 which. upon tape-beneath the guides 16 and 17 ignites a combustible substance 19 disposed on the top guides 16 and 17 for lightingsuitablv incased fuses 20 which aresecured along the top of the bun and extend through suitable perforations 21 in the wall thereof downwardlv along the outside of the casing and beneath it where. at 22 they are in contact with the bottom exposed face of the compouud9; Su table members 23 which may be of paper. adhesive tape or the wrapped fuses in position for insuring ignition of the compound 9. The parachute 24 has attached to its usual parachute cords 25 a pair of attaching strings or cords 26 which are suitably secured to the disc or bung 10 at their lower ends. The tape 15 is somewhat shorter than the cords 26 so that when the device dropped, the parachute will open and due to the weight of the cylinder, compound and associated parts the device will be given a violent jerk, thereby unreeling the tape and drawing the friction material 18 over the ignition material 19 for igniting fuse 20. It will be readily apparent that the entire device will be below and entirely clear of an aeroplane or balloon before ignition of fuses 21 tak s place. After the tape 15 has been unreeled and has performed its work of igniting the fuses, the cylinder 8 remains suspended from cords 26 which are entirely protected against the fire at the bottom of the flare cylinder 8. Devices of this kind are adapted to be released from a suitable carrying case such asis shown in Fig. 2, or they may be dropped or thrown out from a plane or balloon without danger of instantaneously igniting the flare with the attendant dangers ofburning the parachute or igniting any part of the balloon or aeroplane.

A cross sectional view of a cariwing and re leasing case is shown in Fig. 2 where a cylindrical container 27 suitably secured to a lane has a releasable bottom member 28 held bv'a suitable catch 29 which is actuated by a pull cord 30 to drop the device.

It is to be noted that there is no danger of burning the cords 26 of the parachute until thecompound 9 is completely burned and exhausted and that the parts of the ignition mechanism are light in weight and inexpensive of manufacture and comprise but a few simple pieces of sheet metal and a piece of flexible tape.

the heretofore difficult and expensive problem of igniting para-chute flares, it will be understood that its use is not confined entirely to a that field. as the device may be readily modltied for application to other devices.

What is claimed is: I

1. In a device of the class described the combination with a reel structure, a tape wound on said reel. a supporting: means for the reel. a pair of uide means on said supporting means and adapted to receive beneath them the hodv of the tape for retaining one face thereof in frictional contact with 'the surface of the supporting means. and frietional combustion means carried bv the face of the supporting means and the said face of the tape. K

2. In a parachute flare the combination with a flare body. of a mounting base on the top thereof. means for attaching a parachute to the base. a guide means, a flexible tape slidahly mounted for frictional contact with the base. co-operatin, frictionally ignited means carried by the base and tape. said tape being secured at one end to a parachute, and a. fuse extending adiacent the guide means and to a point on the flare remote from the ignition means, dropping of the flare serving to,

While the invention as herein disclosed is shown as especially adaptable to base, an inflammable substance on the base and a friction substance disposed on a portion of the flexible member and adapted to frictionally engage the inflammable material pon unwinding of the flexible material from the roller.

In a device of the class described the combination with a reel structure, a tape wound on said reel, a supporting means for the reel, a guide means on said supporting means and adapted to slidably receive the body of the tape for retaining one face there of in frictional contact with the surface of the supporting means, and frictional combus- .tio11 material carried by the face of the-$1119 porting means and the said face of the tape?" In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 19th day of September,

PHILIP BOK. 

